Course Description

Statistics is the science of data: how valid data is produced, how to explore data to find trends, how to describe data quantitatively, and how to draw valid conclusions from data. All these topics will be introduced in this course. Probability theory provides important tools and concepts to statistics, and so we will also introduce some basic concepts from this area. The course will emphasize hands-on experience with data, and the real-life applications of statistical thinking. The specific learning objectives of this course are to

identify response and explanatory variables and find, use and interpret the least squares linear regression line of a response variable on an explanatory variable,

apply basic concepts of probability to find probabilities using the normal distribution

explain and use the Central Limit Theorem in relation to the sampling distribution of the sample mean,

use the basic tools of statistical inference including confidence intervals and tests of significance for population means (z and t procedures), population proportions, differences of means, and differences of proportions

gain a solid understanding of the concept of statistical significance.

Required LaunchPad

I will be running the course using a web-based system called LaunchPad. You should have received an email from me about signing up for LaunchPad. (If not, you can view the sign-up instructions here.) You are required to purchase LaunchPad . Most of the homework for the class will be done through LaunchPad . LaunchPad also contains an eBook (electronic version) of our textbook ("The Basic Practice Of Statistics", 7th edition, by David Moore). In addition it contains many other helpful features, including as audio and video tutorials. Because the text for the course is contained in eBook form on LaunchPad, I do not require that you have a hard-copy version of the textbook.

Required Statistical Calculator

A TI-84 Plus graphing calculator is required for this course.

Course Grade

60% Three in-class tests

10% Homework/Quiz

30% Final Exam

Final Exam Date

Monday, December 4, 6 pm - 9 pm.

In-Class Tests

Three in-class tests will be given. Tentative dates for these are

Test 1 -- Tuesday, September 19

Test 2 -- Tuesday, October 24

Test 3 -- Tuesday, November 28

Homework/Quizzes

I will assign homework problems on LaunchPad after each class. Usually assignments are due on the second class period after the assignment was made. The first ten minutes of each class meeting is open to discussion of the homework problems. Periodically we will have a short in-class quiz. Topics for the quiz will always be announced at least one class meeting in advance.

Comprehensive Final Exam

A comprehensive final exam will be given on Monday, December 4, from 6 pm until 9 pm.

Attendance and Excused Absences

You are expected to attend every class. See the Hampden-Sydney College Catalog for the College's policies on class attendance. You assume full responsibility for all material covered during any absence. A grade of "0" will be assigned for all work missed due to unexcused absences.

Make-Up Policy

You will have ample time to complete any online homework assignments, so I will not accept any late submissions for these.

If you are sick on the day of a test or in-class quiz, then you must get in contact with me before the test or quiz is given to arrange a make-up.

If you have a legitimate College-sponsored event in which you must participate (such as a sporting event) scheduled on the same day as a test or in-class quiz, then you must get in contact with me before the test or quiz is given to arrange a make-up .

iPads, Cell Phones, Texting, etc.

No laptops or iPads in class, please. You will not need them during class meetings.

All phones should be turned off during class, or be put in silent mode.

No texting or other use of the internet during class please.

No eating during class, please.

No smokeless tobacco.

Course Topics

Distributions and their graphs

Numerical summaries of distributions

The normal distributions

Scatterplots and correlations for two variables

Linear regression

Two-way tables

Producing data: sampling

Producing data: experiments

Introducing probability

Sampling distributions

Binomial distributions

Introduction to inference

Thinking about inference

Inference about a population mean

Two-sample problems

Inference about a population proportion

Comparing two proportions

Others as time permits

Virtual Tour

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